A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to be offered a ticket to see Judy Russell's production of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical.
I confess I was only marginally interested in seeing the show for a few reasons, chiefly among the reasons was because the show was in the evening and typically I don't stay out past 6 p.m. Another reason that I was less than enthusiastic about the event was because I am instantly suspicious of any kind of book to musical production, particularly if I have strong feelings about the original book.
This is not to say that I don't like musicals because I really, really do.I re-watch old Disney movies primarily so I can sing along to my children's irritation. I love Anne of Green Gables and the original CBC mini-series and the sequels produced by Kevin Sullivan are my favourite movies.
I love the Anne books and I have reread the series on multiple occasions and I will continue to do so as long as I am still reading. For all of these reasons, I have not watched the new reboot of Anne because I will be devastated if it is not good.
When my friend texted me to tell me she had an extra ticket, I reluctantly said yes. Before readers go crazy, I know that everything Judy Russell does is great and the production value is spot on and we have exceptional local talent who continue to blow us away with their sheer awesomeness.
I cheered on Enchainment Dance Centre alum Izaak Smith when he was a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance Canada and when Ballet Kelowna came to town last winter, I cried when watching Mark Dennis (also a Judy Russell alum) absolutely nail his beautiful performance in the show.
Judy is great and puts on great shows and I have inside knowledge to prove it. Way back when I was in kindergarten (thirty-odd years ago), I took a ballet class at Judy's studio and our class was in the year-end production of Alice in Wonderland. Clearly, as a five-year-old, I was an important part of this show and audience members may remember my stunning portrayal of "purple flower." I wore the costume for Halloween that year (maybe also the next year) and a boy from school thought I was dressed up as peacock, not a beautiful flower.
But I digress...
I am happy to report that Anne of Green Gables was amazing and I loved it. I am sorry to let everyone know that it was great now that the show is over but it really was spectacular. Had I had an early ticket, I would have written a beautiful review about the staging and singing and dancing.I would have written about how great the costumes were and how perfectly spot-on the casting was (I'm talking about you, Rachel Lynde, Diana Barryand Josie Pye). Except the show is long over and I have an apology to give to everyone who was around me in the theatre.
You see, five minutes into the show I remembered something important about the Anne of Green Gables story. Spoiler alert: Matthew Cuthbert dies.
Thus, every time the actor who played Matthew (Jim Cluff) was on stage, I burst into tears. Not small tears, either. And I had no tissue or sleeves (because it's been flipping hot out, I was in a stylish tank-top) and was therefore forced to slink down into my seat, weeping while trying to find something, anything really, in my purse that would work as a handkerchief.
Finding not even a kid's sock, I was forced to use the bottom of my tank-top to mop my weeping face. Keep in mind that this was largely pre-death of Matthew and I was anticipating being sad. As you may imagine, my reaction to the show was fairly ridiculous and eventually my companions and I completely lost control and were in hysterics, desperately suppressing laughter and tears. I was a complete mess at the end of it and I had a great time.
I hope that I was not disruptive and I sincerely apologize if I was. Any sobbing/laughing that was taking place was because I had an uncontrolled visceral reaction to the show because I loved it so much.
Next time I see a show, I will make sure to bring tissue.
